(Honolulu) – ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i, a festival-like music event featuring iconic ‘ukulele musicians from across Hawai‘i and the world, just announced the headline act for its main event on February 11, 2018. The headline performance is the newly formed group 1933 ‘Ukulele All Stars, which includes five notable celebrities from Japan — Boo Takagi, Yoshio Nomura (better known as Yo-chan), ‘Ukulele Gypsy (better known as Kiyosaku of the group Mongol 800), Kimiko Wakiyama (the 2007 World Champion whistler), and event organizer Kazuyuki Sekiguchi.

The five celebrities from Japan forming the group 1933 ‘Ukulele All Stars are all known to share a love for the instrument. Boo Takagi, a comedian and musician often with an ‘ukulele in hand, has been performing Hawaiian music from when he was in middle school. Yoshio Nomura, or Yo-chan, is a former traveling guitarist for Japanese pop-star great Ayumi Hamasaki and since her debut, released a holiday album entitled “‘’Ukulele for Christmas” over a decade ago. Kiyosaku, from the three-piece punk rock band Mongol 800, now goes by the name ‘Ukulele Gypsy and has performed with the instrument on several occasions at concerts in Hawai’i. Kimiko Wakiyama, the champion whistler who won the women’s crown at the 2007 International Whistlers Convention, has whistled her way in three octaves as she strums at festivals from Tokyo to New York. Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, in between tours with the iconic rock group Southern All Stars, puts together the ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai’i each year while making on-stage performances so that he may fulfill his desire to construct an ‘ukulele museum in Hawai’i.

“We are thrilled to gather all this amazing talent in the birthplace of the ‘ukulele,” says Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai’i founder and organizer. “We now have more than 20 local and international entertainers coming together as a symbolic initiative for world peace. The sound of the ‘ukulele truly does connect people together across the differences of language and race, unites people like family and makes the world a better place. We hope that both visitors and locals join us in this free celebration.”

The 10th Annual ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii takes place on Sunday, February 11, 2017, from at 9 a.m. until sunset at Kaka’ako Makai Gateway Park. This year’s event will offer two stages with live entertainment, each featuring well-known local and international ‘ukulele performers. Entertainers will share their talent and aloha while guests can take advantage of more than 30 different booths featuring Hawaiian crafts, international food and drinks, activities for kids, a luxury ‘ukulele raffle as well as top ‘ukulele brands showcasing premium ‘ukulele. Admission to the ‘Ukulele Picnic is open to the public and free of charge. Complimentary shuttle busses between Waikiki and Kaka‘ako Makai Gateway Park will also be available. All funds raised from the event will benefit the ‘Ukulele Museum.

About ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i
‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i is a free event that uses the ‘ukulele to connect people across the differences of language and race. Since the first event in 2009, more than 5,000 people participate in the event from all over the world each year, increasing awareness about the ‘ukulele, and building a strong following for Hawaiian music. The proceeds from ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i will be dedicated to the construction of the ‘Ukulele Museum.

About ‘Ukulele Museum
As an international museum and entertainment center, the ‘Ukulele Museum will bring together ‘ukulele fans from around the world. The museum will contribute to children’s educational development through guest lecturers and field trips to the site as well as provide a venue for musical events and a place of “tranquility” for island residents to gather.

A permanent collection, the history of the ‘ukulele and its contribution to Hawaiian music will be shown. Plans for the museum also include a cafe and gift shop.